December 8, 2022
A summary of news and events,
for the people of the
Episcopal Churches of West Missouri
News
Episcopal Church 2021 Parochial Report data
Three-minute read.
While the impact of COVID-19 on church attendance continued throughout last year, The Episcopal Church’s newly released 2021 Parochial Report shows an increase in overall giving amid challenges presented by pivots to online and hybrid worship since 2020.
Episcopal Service Corps seeks applicants for 2023-24 service year
One-minute read.
The Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) invites young leaders ages 21 to 32 interested in a transformative outreach and discernment experience to apply online for the 2023-24 program year.
Español 
Ya están disponibles los datos del Informe Parroquial 2021 de la Iglesia Episcopal
One-minute read.
Aunque el impacto del COVID-19 sobre el número de feligreses que asisten a la iglesia continuó sintiéndose durante el año pasado, el Informe Parroquial 2021 de la Iglesia Episcopal recientemente publicado muestra un incremento de la suma de donaciones generales, incluso a pesar de los desafíos presentados por el cambio de celebración de servicios religiosos, los cuales desde 2020 se hacen en línea y de forma híbrida.
Announcements
While most of us are getting ready for happy family reunions during the holidays, we may forget that Christmas can be a time of great sadness for many. Click on the link for details of Blue Christmas services being held in Joplin, Kansas City, Liberty, Ozark and Springfield.
Transitions – November 2022
One-minute read.
Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of November 2022.
Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study – Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book, “Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England.”
Young Adult Civil Rights Pilgrimage
One-minute read.
Are you a young adult between the ages of 25 & 40? Do you enjoy travel? Do you enjoy learning? Do you enjoy volunteer work? Are you looking to deepen your spiritual connections through prayer and worship? Are you looking to help build the community of young adults in the diocese? Would you like to join an incredible adventure?
Publication schedule change
December.
The New Spirit Update will be published on the second and fourth Thursdays of December.
What's happening
Ordination of Jean Long into the Sacred Order of Priests

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 2 p.m., God willing and the people consenting, Jean Long will be ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests. You are invited to join Jean at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, or watch live online.
Ordinations of Brittany Renee Sparrow Savage, David Sidney Wilcox, II, Jon Ryan Williams, and Ryan Anthony Zavacky to the Sacred Order of Deacons

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 2 p.m., God willing and the people consenting, Brittany Renee Sparrow Savage, David Sidney Wilcox, II, Jon Ryan Williams, and Ryan Anthony Zavacky will be ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons. You are invited to join them at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, or watch live online.
December 11
The Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In-person. 5 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage.
December 11 & 18
Journeying the Way of Love. In-person and Online. Every Sunday, 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City.
SAVE THE DATE
January 14
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. In-person and Online. 4 p.m. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City.
January 17
National Day of Racial Healing. In-person. 9 a.m. -- Noon. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, open for prayer.
January 24 -
February 14
The Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study. Online. Every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
January 26 -
February 16
The Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study. Online. Every Thursday at 7 p.m.
Events & Meetings
There is lots more to see on the diocesan Events home page.
Check out the diocesan calendar and our full list of forthcoming events and meetings.
Deadlines
‌
None at present
Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online.
Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders
Diocesan Admin website updates

A rundown of the recent updates to the diocesan administrative website.
Changing the times of your online services?

Don't forget to let us know so we can keep the list of online services up to date.

Email any changes to [email protected]
Bulletin inserts and flyers - 
Do you have any bulletin inserts or flyers of interest to the Episcopal Churches of West Missouri? Send them in!

Second chance - In case you missed it
Be SMART for the Holidays
One-minute read.
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here again – along with the planning, the prepping and the packing. If you’re one of the millions of families who will be visiting family or friends this year, there’s one important thing you need to add to your holiday checklist: talking about responsible gun storage.
Direct communication builds trust and strengthens relationships
Church Financial Audit Policy Reminder
Spread The Word